OBSERVATION ON OPINIONS AND ADVICE

Observation - 99.9% of people do not want and will ultimately not take the advice or guidance they ask for. What they are really looking for is agreement and praise. Maybe, if each individual could be more honest about what they want, what they get would be less likely to be taken offensively.

It is also possible that many take their own opinion or advice as too valuable.
The interesting thing is that on the whole, advice given to others is usually not applied to ones self. For example: A gentleman gave one of my sons the advice, more than once, to write a business plan. Later, I heard the same man tell my other son that he (the man) often didn't have a plan, or when he did, didn't follow it.

My Prayer - Lord, help me to be perceptive to what other people really want/need, regardless of what they say. Help me to contain myself from trying to help where my help is not wanted. Help me to encourage the way the person needs encouragement and not just be fulfilling my own needs. Help me to be honest with myself and with others about what I am seeking from them as well. Open my eyes, ears and heart Lord that I act as you would in every situation. In Jesus name I ask this. Amen.

HOW DO WE KNOW IT'S FALSE

2 Peter 2:1 (NIV)
But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves.

A great pastor said not too long ago that these people will be dressed like us, they will talk like us, they will appear to live their lives like us. Some will even believe they are Christians because they have become such great imitators that they have even fooled themselves.
They will however give themselves away! It may be ever so slightly, but by staying in the Word of God, we will always recognize the truth. Don't rush to judge, that is not why I write this today. The reason is simply this: that you might evaluate your own life based on the scriptures. In doing that, have you fooled yourself? Did you truly come to a saving knowledge of the grace that Jesus Christ has brought into this world, did you repent and when He called you to Himself? Or, did you come to church?
This may be the last day that you will ever have to answer this question. Please be sure you are answering it correctly.

FRUIT ANYONE?

When others look at you, can they even tell you are a Christian? In an attempt to be like everyone else do you cover up what should be the most important person in your life? Do you even consider Jesus Christ a person?
The Bible tells us that we will be known by our fruits. If someone described you in the term of fruit like you eat, would you be a fruit salad or one little blue berry?
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control. Against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23
By only showing one of these we qualify for the one little blue berry status. We should all be fruit salads when it comes to living our lives for the Lord. Pray that He will draw your attention to the fruits you are leaving out of your salad of life!

Until He Comes or until I go,
Nikki

JUST DO IT!

My sister used to tell me that she thought I would argue with God! It always hurt my feelings that she would say such a thing.(She probably thinks she still knows me that well.) The awful part is that in my lifetime I actually have from time to time argued even with God. I guess we all want things our way, but when we become Christians we are suppose to want it our Father's way.
How many times have you said to your kids, 'Don't argue with me, just do what I tell you to do!"
I know I did. Guess what, our heavenly Father has given us the same instruction.
Philippians 2:14-16 (NIV) Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life - in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing.
Let's put on the attitude God requires of us and remember that whatever we have to do today that we will do it as for the Lord without complaint or arguing!

Until He Comes or until I go,
Nikki

HARD PILL TO SWALLOW

When I was a young person I had a very quick temper. No one at that period wanted to cross me because they knew anger would fly like fur in a cat fight. I had that quick temper until one day I prayed that God would take it from me. I have jokingly said that after that he made me a little slow on the uptake of recognizing insult until I was away from the situation and could listen to Him before I responded. If we allow feelings to be in charge we will always react wrongly.
1Thessalonians 5:15 (NIV) says: Make sure nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and everyone else.
Thanksgiving is two days away and we are going to be seeing a lot of people, some family, and some friends and acquaintances. People are going to talk and we are going to be listening. It can be wonderful or we can take things the wrong way (maybe even the way they were intended and just respond the wrong way) or we can do as the Word of God says and be kind.

ARE YOU A CONTENDER?

I don't know about you but there are many times that I falter for just a moment and have to stop and evaluate whether I should maybe soft pedal who I am. Anyone who knows me well knows that I always sign off my emails 'Until He Comes or until I go'. As it turned out the other day I was working on a job bid on the internet and I got to the signature and froze. The question was, do I, to this big company who did not know anything about me, sign off in my usual manner or do I make exception in an effort to get the bid?
It was suddenly as if God was asking me, 'Are you my contender or not?' The very question in that light emboldened me and I signed like I always do. If they don't want me as a Christian, then they don't want me.
A contender according to my desktop dictionary is (a) someone who struggles to surmount (b) someone who struggles in a competition or campaign in order to win or achieve, or (c) someone who asserts something in a position or an argument. Philipians 1:27-28(NIV) says this: Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved and that by God.
Are you a contender? As Christians we should be.
Are you a Christian? If not let me tell you about my Lord and Savior. You can email me at: NikkiASharp7577@gmail.com

CRACKED POTS

There are times when we get small glimpses of the plan. A scripture that gave me one of those glimpses this week is 2 Corinthians 4:7 (NIV) But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all surpassing power is from God, not from us.
If some people seem cracked when you look at their lives, God can use those cracks to reveal the light He has put inside.
The question then becomes, are the cracks in you life revealing God's light OR darkness, bitter goo and despair. Think about it!